Business Psychology: Reflective Personal Development Report and Action Plan

This report focuses on understanding self and others in the workplace through psychological approaches. It includes a reflective journal on three core skills and an action plan for improvement. The skills discussed are focus and attention, time management, and negotiation.

Business Psychology: Reflective
Personal Development Report and
Action Plan

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction and brief evaluation of the psychological approaches using for the purpose of
understanding self and others at workplace.................................................................................1
2. Reflective journal in relation to the 3 core skills.....................................................................3
3. Action plan...............................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Understanding self and others is related to grabbing information regarding own and others
behaviours. This has importance in future regarding performance of functions in effective
manner. Ascertainment of information regarding own provide the opportunity to know about the
existing skills and attributes that are good and bad. This has importance in future towards the
direction of building action plan for poorer skills that contributes in further development through
application of the use of improvement measures (Audi, 2019). The need of understanding
behaviour of others is important because this will aid to determine their associated capabilities,
attributes and skills. The importance of this exercise in businesses is more because aid in
effective allocation of duties and responsibilities to the employees on the basis of their
competences. The main aim behind carrying this report is to ascertain the information upon own
skills and attributes and develop the plan for their further improvement.
The aspects going to cover in report includes assessment of psychological perspectives that
work in direction of informing about self and others, exploration of three different skills on the
basis of reflection and development of action to improve the skills which are needed to improve.
MAIN BODY
1. Introduction and brief evaluation of the psychological approaches using for the purpose of
understanding self and others at workplace
The significance of gaining knowledge upon the own and other skills is important because this
will further aid in development of personality and professional career through make additions in
competencies This exercise will work as identification of the areas where deviation occurs and
their further removal through the use of preventive measures and skill development programmes.
The another aspect of ascertaining information about other skills is important in the direction of
building motivation where persuades the behaviour to gain extra knowledge. The benefit of this
exercise will be ascertained in future through attaining higher professional growth within an
organisation. The another benefit associated with this point is related to development of new
skills and attributes that provide distinctive nature as compared to all others at workplace. This
will further provide the opportunity in performance of multiple functions within an organisation
that preferred by all authorities within an employee. The contribution of psychological
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perspectives is good enough towards the understanding of own and other associated skills and
attributes. These perspective works in the direction of identifying the cause behind the particular
behaviour of a person. There are many psychological perspectives are existing include
psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive, biological, cross cultural, evolutionary and humanistic.
These all includes their own theory and different contribution towards explanation of the skills
and personality attached with particular person (Marta-Simões and Ferreira, 2018).
Psychodynamic perspectives define the human behaviour created due to early childhood
experiences, role of unconscious mind and interpersonal relationships. This information is
effective towards ascertaining behaviour of person and treating the mental illness if have any. On
the other hand, behavioural aspects define about the psychology of learned behaviours. In this
perspective, major focus is provided over behaviours which were developed solely through the
different observables. The cognitive perspective defines the mental processes. This further
includes the aspects such as thinking, problem solving, decision making, language and memory.
This is about the comparison of human mind with customer information processing model. This
will be done for the purpose of ascertaining an information that how data is acquires, processed,
stored and utilized. The one more perspective of psychology named as biological provide the
focus over exploration of two aspects such as physical and biological ascertainment of an
individual behaviour. Here, the determinants studied includes genetics, brain, nervous system,
endocrine system and immune system (Valkenburg, 2017). Evolutionary perspective is based
upon the study of evolution contribution in understanding of psychological processes. The
different aspects which will be studied under this includes principles of evolution i.e. natural
selection and its application to psychological phenomenon. Cross culture perspective cover the
study related to the impact of culture over the behaviour and thinking of a person. In last,
humanistic perspective based upon the study of motivational contribution upon the thought and
behaviour of an individual (Psychological Perspectives, 2020).
It is clear from the description of the different perspective that attached with different
aspects and have own different contribution towards explaining and understanding the skills and
attributes associated within an individual. It would be better to apply all the aspects integrally for
the purpose of ascertaining information regarding all associated skills and attributes that will be
good or bad. This further contributes in the form of developing action plan that aid in effective
application of measures for the development of skills which are low within the personality.
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2. Reflective journal in relation to the 3 core skills
Focus and attention
What is the core skill to develop?
The skill which is required to be develop is related to focus and attention.
Why did I select this skill to reflect on? Why is this core skill important for your
development (personal and professional)? (use relevant theories and concepts from
psychology and business to support your answer)
The main reason behind the selection of this skill that has large number of importance within
a life where directs the person to achieve the all targets easily within the stipulated period of
time. This skill is based upon the selection of particular criterion to focus along with
attention over the aspects that will be helpful to gain knowledge upon such criterion. The
benefit of this will be ascertained by me in the form of deeper knowledge upon the criterion
without assessing of the unwanted resources. This core skill has dual benefit i.e. personal
and professional. This will provide the edge to personality where help me to present
distinctive from others. While talking about professionally, then this will help me to gain
targets within an organisation through optimal utilisation of resources that present as
considerable reason for growth among authorities.
Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor,
plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this
question)
Currently, I did not have good competence within the skill of focus and attention. I am able
to concentrate over the aspects along with selection of the best which will be useful towards
attainment of targets. In the assessment of mine competence, I took the help of peers and
tutors. My peers said that I lack in focus that the reason not able to select the best which is
most fruitful for me. On the other hand, my tutors said I lack in attention that cause slow
grabbing of knowledge about the topic. They said the weakness in this skill is the main
reason for not doing in academics.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a
match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
No, there is no contradiction in between the views of peers or tutors and mine. I am agreeing
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with the point they put forward. I am not able concentrate that result into low level of focus
and attention. This would be the reason that I sometime select the resources which are no
good enough. Also, the low performance in academics is due to the lacking in the skill of
focus and attention.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
The skill of focus and attention is associated with large number of benefits. These have
effective contribution towards the development of personality of a person along with
professional career. The development of this skill in mine has dual benefits. Firstly, help in
development of personality where able to select the best which is most appropriate along
with clear concentrate in gathering of knowledge upon same. Secondly, this will help in
professional carer where mine personality edge provides the opportunity to work with
optimum utilisation of available resources and provide best results to an organisation. This
presents as criterion among the authorities for mine promotion and development of
professional career (Ninomiya and et al., 2018).
Time Management
What is the core skill to develop?
The core which I want to develop is related to time management.
Why did I select this skill to reflect on? Why is this core skill important for your
development (personal and professional)? (use relevant theories and concepts from
psychology and business to support your answer)
The main reason behind the selection of this for reflection is associated large number of
benefits. Time management is the skill that provide the opportunity regarding completion of
assigned work within stipulated period of time. The importance of this skill will be grateful
towards me. This will help in development of personality through addition of one additional
skill. This will further aid in completion of my academics work on time. The positive impact
of this skill development is not limited up to the personal benefits but also help in
professional growth of career. Effective time management must contribute to get promotion
within an organisation.
Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor,
plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this
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question)
Currently, I am not good in the time management skill. I faced the many difficulties at the
time of performing multiple functions. Here, I am not able to prioritise the work according to
the nature, difficulty and requirement. In end, this leads incompletion of work on time. The
same was told to me by my peers and tutors. My peers that I am not able to handle the stress
of multiple working that resultant into inappropriate handling. My tutors said I never able to
complete the work on time. I always asked for the extension because not able to judge the
time according to work complexity. This would be the reason that I present in front of them
with uncompleted work.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a
match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
No, I did not have any contradiction with the views of peers or tutors regarding my time
management skill. I perfectly agree with their points because not able to get the positive
results. I always not bale to judge the work completion time in accordance to the nature and
complexity. This resultant into no completion of work in end. Also, often I went to tutors for
the extension of time period so I can complete mu work and submit the same.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
This skill helps me in many ways in future period of time. This is because the skill of time
management associated with large number of benefits like completion of target, optimum
utilisation of results, delivering of best results etc. The benefit of developing this skill is not
only limited to personality development but must aid in the improving my professional
career. The skill of time management present as additional skill within my personally where
I can use the same edge against others. This will help me to manage my work according to
priorities so able to deliver the best as end result. In my professional career, this will help to
arrange the work according to the nature and priorities that guide the other employees along
with me in completion of work on time. The end impact of this will be ascertained by me in
the form of future promotions where able to get higher authorities and responsibilities
(Serrat, 2017).
Negotiation
What is the core skill to develop?
The skill which I want to develop is Negotiation.
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Why did I select this skill to reflect on? Why is this core skill important for your
development (personal and professional)? (use relevant theories and concepts from
psychology and business to support your answer)
The main reason behind the selection of this skills is associated with large number of future
benefits. This skill must have effective contribution towards the development of mine
personal and professional aspects. This provide the edge to my personality where I am able
to negotiate with others for the attainment of accurate results. The major benefit of this skill
has on upon my professional career. Here, this will provide the opportunity to effectively
communicate with others and negotiate near to the organisational actual term and conditions.
Reflect on your current competence regarding this skill. How did you assess your
competence? (use your self-assessment findings, feedback from peers and your tutor,
plus your own reflections on your thoughts, feelings and behaviours to answer this
question)
Currently, I am not good at this skill. I feel hesitation and not able to communicate properly
with perfect reasoning’s. The same was told me by my peers that I am not able to negotiate
and whatever provided to me was accepted on same terms. My tutors also have the opinion
towards me that not able to negotiate because not able to perform well many group tasks.
Can you identify any contradictions from your analysis above? For example, is there a
match between how you see yourself and how others see you, or not?
No, I did not find any contradiction with the views provided by my peers and tutors. I have
the same feeling that I always accept the work with same conditions without asking for the
valid reasons.
How might this skill help me in the future? (use references to support your argument)
This skill helps me in future towards development of one more personality where ale to
negotiate in benefit of mine. Its development has major contribution towards development of
mine professional career. Here, I am able to negotiate with the teams to complete work on
time (Steinbeis, 2016).
3. Action plan
The three skills in which I am not good includes time management, negotiation and focus
and attention. All these are needed to develop to attain great personality along with good
professional career.
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Skills Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Time-based
Time
management
Not able to
judge the
time period
according to
complexity
Improvement
will done by
more than
40%
Take the
support of
peers in
accessing large
number of
multiple
activities
Peers support
to know
about the
techniques to
time
management
according to
nature of
work
Attained
within time
period of 2
months
Focus and
attention
Not able to
select best
and focusing
over relevant
aspects for
their
achievement
Improvement
will be done
by more than
50%
Take the
support of
tutors to get
knowledge
about
techniques of
improving
focus and
attention
(Wand and et
al., 2018).
Tutors
indulge me
activities
related to
improving
focus and
attention
Attained with
the time
period of 3
months
Negotiation Not able to
communicate
or ask
justifiable
reasoning
behind the
work
Improvement
will be done
more than
30%
Take the
support of
tutors to
improve
communication
and negotiation
Take part in
tutors
designed
activities for
providing
justifiable
reasons.
Attained with
the time
period of 2
months
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above report that understanding self and others is
important for the ascertaining important information. This will also aid in ascertaining gaps
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along with development of measures that contribute towards improving skills and knowledge.
The positive of the same will be ascertained in future as good personal and professional growth.
This will provide the edge to personality that can be used for the purpose of ascertaining higher
authorities and responsibilities in professional career.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Audi, R., 2019. Understanding, Self‐Evidence, and Justification. Philosophy and
Phenomenological Research. 99(2). pp.358-381.
Marta-Simões, J. and Ferreira, C., 2018. Self-to-others and self-to-self relationships: paths to
understanding the valence of body image and eating attitudes in emerging adult
women. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, pp.1-8.
Ninomiya, T. and et al., 2018. Performance monitoring in the medial frontal cortex and related
neural networks: From monitoring self-actions to understanding others’
actions. Neuroscience research. 137. pp.1-10.
Serrat, O., 2017. Understanding and developing emotional intelligence. In Knowledge
solutions (pp. 329-339). Springer, Singapore.
Steinbeis, N., 2016. The role of self–other distinction in understanding others' mental and
emotional states: neurocognitive mechanisms in children and adults. Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 371(1686). p.20150074.
Valkenburg, P. M., 2017. Understanding self-effects in social media. Human Communication
Research. 43(4). pp.477-490.
Wand, A.P.F. and et al., 2018. Understanding self-harm in older people: a systematic review of
qualitative studies. Aging & mental health. 22(3). pp.289-298.
Online
Psychological Perspectives. 2020. [Online]. Available Through: <
https://www.verywellmind.com/perspectives-in-modern-psychology-2795595>
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